Species

The specie of a tree is its identity and each species has its own grain, colour and properties. Here are two tips to help you find the species that is best suited for your needs:

Tip # 1: Determine whether you prefer species with a visible or discreet wood grain

Wood species are first differentiated by their grain, in other words, by the visible contrast of the growth rings. Species such as oak, white ash and hickory possess a pronounced wood grain that gives them character. Hard maple, white pine, American cherry and yellow birch, on the other hand, display a tighter and less contrasted grain. Know that, if you like the general appearance of a species, you can also change its colour and grade.

Tip # 2: Think about the room where your floor will be installed: the type of room can be taken into account when choosing your species.

For a flooring project in high foot traffic rooms, such as the kitchen, you can go for a rough and textured wood, like oak or white ash. Their rich and contrasted appearance can help conceal the everyday life mishaps.

Also know that hard wood species are better resistant to repeated impact caused by objects being dropped to the ground. Among the hardest wood species , hickory, oak and hard maple are the most popular.

To find out about the hardness of a wood species, you can refer to the results of the Janka test. This test measures the pressure required to drive a metal steel ball into the wood: the higher the number, the harder the species.

Wood hardness rating

This is determined by the Janka hardness test that measures the force needed to embed a small metal ball into the wood. The higher the number, the more resistant the wood.